SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:1-12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
What has to happen within ‘righteous’ people that would bring them to this point, that they would be willing to “prepare an ambush to kill” Paul, all in the name of their religion. Sadly, this has happened often, and many of those people claimed to be Christ-followers. Jesus called these Jewish leaders “brood of snakes” and children of their father, the devil, because they did the things that the devil did (John 8:39-47). This is a very serious accusation, and one that ought to caution us from being to quick to take a stand against others in God’s name. Paul himself at one time persecuted followers of the Way in God’s Name (Acts 22:4-5).
Am I guilty of harming or hindering people in God’s Name, even with good intentions? It is never right to slander, to speak maliciously, to twist the truth, to hurt, etc., even against God’s enemies. We are called to speak the truth in love, and trust God as our defense.
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me where I have said or done things to harm or hinder those who were wandering from You, who were in need of Your grace. Forgive me for acting as if I were better than others (and some specific names are coming to mind), and help me to be more like You. Amen.